NEWS: A digest of aerospace, defense and technology news from the Gulf Coast I-10 region

Friday, April 17, 2015

X-47B has first aerial refuel test

An X-47B unmanned aerial vehicle had a first-ever aerial refueling test off the coast of Maryland this week. The Daily Mail and others reported the drone's refueling probe plugged into the hose of a KC-707. The X-47B, built by Northrop Grumman, used optical sensors and a camera to monitor its approach to the tanker. No fuel as transferred. (Source: Daily Mail, War is Boring, 04/16/15) Gulf Coast note: Two other Northrop Grumman drones, the Global Hawk and Fire Scout, are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.; naval aviators are trained in part in Northwest Florida. X-47B aerial refuel demo axed; Mag lauds X-47B innovators; Drone catapults from carrier